On February 16, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat
Mirziyoyev arrived in Bukhara region for becoming familiar with construction
and landscaping activities and the course of socio-economic reforms carried out
at places.

Large-scale plans were made for
development of all spheres in the region during the visit of the Head of the
state on March 10-11, 2017. A great work has been done within the framework of
execution of these instructions. New industrial enterprises, business entities
have been established. The level of localization and the volume of exports have
grown. Spheres of transport and tourism are developing, the flow of tourists
has grown. Unused opportunities are involved in agriculture. New residential
houses, social facilities have been built.

During the two-day visit, the
President of Uzbekistan will become familiar with the execution of previous
instructions, implemented construction and landscaping activities, and define
next important tasks.

* * *

The President of Uzbekistan had visited this complex on March 10, 2017,
gave appropriate instructions on its further improvement, creating necessary
conditions for pilgrims.

The President inspected activities
that have been implemented over the past period.

According to tradition, surahs from
the Quran were read.

A consistent work is being carried
out in accordance with the decree of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on
preparation for the 915th anniversary of Abdulhalik Gijduvani’s birth and the
700th anniversary of Bahauddin Naqshband’s birth of July 11, 2017. The Head of
the state was provided with information on the “road map” of
spiritual-enlightenment, scientific-practical events in connection with these
anniversaries.

It is planned to hold events on
“Naqshbandi readings” for pilgrims, a scientific practical conference for
university students, and a scientific conference for students of religious
education institutions of the country on “High human qualities in teachings of
Khojagon-Naqshbandiyya”. In addition, it is planned to organize an
international scientific and practical conference on “Seven spiritual guides of
Bukhara: renaissance value of Sufi teaching of Central Asia for the Islamic
civilization”.

The President of the country noted
the need of conducting these events at a high organizational level.

The last resting places of seven
spiritual guides – Bahauddin Naqshband, Abdulhalik Gijduvani, Arif Revgari, Ali
Romitani, Babai Samosi, Anjir Fagnavi, Said Amir Kulal are revered not only by
people of Uzbekistan, but also by Muslims all over the world.

The Head of the state was informed
about the plans on reconstruction of these complexes and opening of new tourist
routes. Therefore, it is planned to restore the mausoleums, landscape their
territories, build hotels, teahouses, shopping complexes and parking lots.

The distance between these complexes
is 122 kilometers. Shavkat Mirziyoyev gave instructions on organizing a modern
infrastructure along the roads linking the mausoleums. In addition, the need
was noted for organizing a special faculty on studying the history of Bukhara
in Bukhara State University.

Along the roads linking the
mausoleums of seven spiritual guides, it is necessary to establish stands with
information about their lives and activities, for pilgrims. To do this, it is
necessary to pay attention to training personnel, emphasized the President.

The Head of the state considered
each of the submitted projects, gave instructions on their development.

Special attention in Uzbekistan is
paid to issues of satisfying needs of the population for fish products,
deepening economic reforms in the industry, strengthening the material and
technical base of fish farming.

In recent years, a number of program
measures have been developed in Uzbekistan on ensuring food safety, including
increasing the volume of harvesting qualitative fish products. In particular,
“Uzbekbaliksanoat” (Uzbekistan fishing industry) association was established in
accordance with the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
“On measures of improving the management system of fishing industry” of May 1,
2017. Over the past period, the association has assisted fish industry
enterprises in organization of reproduction of valuable fish for further
stocking natural and artificial reservoirs, creation of new hatcheries for
larvae, increasing production of juvenile fish, modernization and expansion of
existing ponds for growing fish.

“Bukhara balik sanoat” LLC also
carries out significant work in this direction. The shops for processing,
smoking fish, production of feed, incubation shop and closed water circulation
system were put into operation. The farm with a total area of 90 hectares has
40 hectares of reservoirs.

The President of the country got
acquainted with activities of the farm.

We must increase the volume of fish
harvesting, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev. At present, the population’s need for fish
and fish products is not fully covered. Such farms should be organized in each
district of Bukhara region.

* * *

Presentation of economic projects that are being implemented in Bukhara
region was held. Information was presented on plans for development of
livestock, poultry, silkworm breeding, beekeeping and other industries,
increasing the export potential due to reduction of cotton fields and
increasing harvesting of fruit and vegetable products, improving the
meliorative condition of lands.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid special
attention to the issue of development of karakul breeding. Noted that Bukhara
since ancient times is a major center of karakul culture, people of the region
have long been producing and selling products from karakul, earning a solid
income. The Head of the state noted the need for reviving the disappearing
traditions of the breeding business, supporting shepherds and artisans working
with karakul. Gave instructions on establishment of an institute and fund for
karakul breeding, a plant for processing karakul in Bukhara.

Another notable project is
production of medicinal tea from mulberry leaves. According to experts, the
content of caffeine and tannin in mulberry leaves is 200 times less, vitamins
and minerals are much more than in tea leaves.

The President of the country
approved this project and noted importance of such tea for strengthening public
health and import substitution.

Forestry in the region also has
great potential. Medicinal plants growing in Uzbekistan are widely used in
various industries. In particular, there is a high demand abroad in cistanche
and harmala. Healing properties of cistanche are five times stronger than
ginseng.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev gave instructions
on creating new jobs and increasing exports through the effective use of these
gifts of nature. This was reported by the Press Service of the President of the
Republic of Uzbekistan.

* * *

There are 343 preschool education institutions in Bukhara region, 7 of
which are private. More than 46 thousand boys and girls are being educated
there, that is 35,1% of all children of the region.

Kindergarten No.54 is designed for
280 children. Last year, its building was thoroughly renovated and equipped in
accordance with modern requirements. 31 teachers and educators are working
here.

The head of the state got acquainted
with conditions created for children, talked with employees of the
kindergarten.

Information was provided on the
pilot center for short-term primary development of children. Here, children in
short-term groups are taught logic, mental arithmetic, English, applied and
visual arts using interactive methods. The center will facilitate preparation
of children for school, not covered by kindergartens.

– It is not by chance that we are
paying special attention to preschool education, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev. –
Children in kindergarten age quickly and easily master knowledge, remember them
forever. Therefore, issues related to the development of this system should
always be at the center of our attention.

The President gave instructions on
turning this kindergarten into a regional center for the exchange of
methodological experience, providing the sphere with qualified specialists,
including by recruiting college graduates for retraining courses and employing
them in preschool education institutions.

* * *

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the ongoing work within
the framework of the concept of further development of tourism in the
historical part of Bukhara.

This city has a huge tourism
potential due to its historical monuments, traditions of national handicraft
passed from generation to generation.

The concept of further development
of tourism in the region provides implementation of 61 projects in 2018. In
particular, 32 hotels, 12 motels, 10 parks will be built, “Bukhoro Palace”,
“Varakhsha” and “Zarafshon” hotels will be reconstructed. In addition, it is
planned to expand cooperation with international and domestic organizations in
the sphere of tourism, purchase transport for serving tourists, provide objects
of cultural heritage for rent to entrepreneurs, organize balloon tours, and
rural tourism in Gijduvan, Shafirkan, Vabkent and Jandar districts.

Implementation of these projects
will significantly increase the flow of foreign and domestic tourists, the
export of tourism services and create many new jobs.

The Head of the state during his
last visit to the region gave instructions on building a square of artisans in
the historical part of the city, restoring the madrasahs of Poyi Kalon and Mir
Arab, expanding and turning Hakikat and Khodja Nurobod streets into a
boulevard.

In accordance with these
instructions, Hakikat street was expanded, construction of houses for families
of artisans with shops and workshops on the first and the second floors of
apartments has started. As a result, the street is in harmony with historical part
of the city. Tourists visiting the region are getting acquainted here with the
work of artisans, acquiring carpets, embroidered products, gold embroidered
robes, various clothes and utensils, souvenirs, which generally contributes to
multiplication of Bukhara’s fame as a tourism center.

Projects on restoration in 2018 of
historical monuments in the complex of Poyi Kalon have been developed. It is
planned to repair and restore the madrasahs of Abdulazizkhan and Ulugbek on
Khodja Nurobod street. The territory around the Ark fortress will be
landscaped, internal buildings and structures will be repaired. It is planned
to build and rebuild a building of Mir Arab madrasah. Shopping arcade of
artisans will appear on the same street.

Getting acquainted with programs on
development of tourism infrastructure of the old part of the city, Shavkat
Mirziyoyev noted that this district should become in all senses the heart of
Bukhara.

The Head of the state was presented
projects on repairing and restoration, effective use of cultural heritage sites
in the historic part of the city, construction of the small ring road of
Bukhara and footpaths, reconstruction of engineering and communication
networks, as well as a project of the National Bank for Foreign Economic
Activity on building a network of modern cinemas in the country.

A new enterprise launched in Surkhandarya region has set out to produce
rolled wrapping paper, cones for yarn, boxes for eggs from recycled paper.

These goods manufactured in the
Termez-based company with limited liability, Surkhon Qog’ozni Qayta Ishlash,
are delivered to textile enterprises, poultry factories and other customers
across the province.

Realization of the project worth
more than 3 billion soums (currency rates
of CB RU from 19.02.2018, 1$= 8188.33 soums) has allowed the business to
produce 3 million tons of affordable and high-quality products per year. Almost
60 employees of the company recycle about 9 tons of waste paper every day.

In addition, the Surkhon kaolin
enterprise in the Termez district is implementing a project to set up
facilities specializing in the production of feldspar, slate and kaolin, used
as raw materials for the manufacture of porcelain goods with a capacity of 150
tons a year. 2.9 billion soums were allocated for the organization of the
enterprise equipped with modern machinery. It will be commissioned next month,
60 people will be employed here.

A new online platform, ZoodMall, is
projected to be launched in Uzbekistan in the first half of 2018.

The JSC Uzbekiston Pochtasi (Uzbekistan Mail) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Swiss company ZOODEL.

The document was signed by director general Uzbekiston Pochtasi Sh.
Atamuhamedov and the director general of ZOODEL for CIS countries S.
Muhamedaliev.

In accordance with the memorandum, the parties will exchange experience,
information, provide mutual information and consulting support, ensure
participation in events that promote the development of international
electronic commerce. In the first half of 2018 in Uzbekistan, it is planned to
launch a new online platform ZoodMall, which allows the manufacturing
companies, dealers, representatives of Uzbek and world trade brands to sell
their goods without intermediaries.

This will provide access to Uzbek-made goods to hundreds of millions of
customers per day. For domestic producers there is a free registration in the
program.

On the occasion of the 25th
anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of
Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, which was celebrated on February 16, 2018,
the heads of the two states exchanged congratulatory messages.

In the message of the President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov it is
noted that the centuries-old ties of traditional friendship,
good-neighborliness, family ties, as well as commonality of spiritual and
cultural values are the firm foundation of modern Kyrgyz-Uzbek relations.

“2017 was a breakthrough year in the history of development of bilateral
relations between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan due to mutual manifestation of a
firm political will that facilitated the signing of the Treaty on the
Kyrgyz-Uzbek State Border, removal of restrictions from individual checkpoints,
giving a significant impetus to trade and economic cooperation, – emphasized in
the message. As a result, our countries are celebrating today's jubilee not
only as friendly states, but also as strategic partners and good neighbors”.

Sooronbay Jeenbekov expressed conviction that "joint plans for further
strengthening of political dialogue, acceleration of final legal registration
of the state border, activation of cross-border cooperation, interaction in
water and energy sphere, effective use of transit potential of our countries
and construction of the railway “China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan” will be
embodied in practical reality for the benefit of our fraternal people".

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted with deep satisfaction
that "thanks to political will and concrete practical steps, we brought
bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership, laying a solid
foundation of mutual trust”. Evidence of this is the three high-level visits
successfully held last year, which opened a new chapter in the history of
relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

"The trade turnover is growing dynamically, the scale of production
cooperation is expanding”, – the document says. – For the first time in many
years, industrial exhibitions and business forums have been organized”.

"Mechanisms of long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation at the
level of regions of the two states have been launched, – emphasized the
President of Uzbekistan. – Cultural and humanitarian exchanges have been
significantly intensified, Days of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan in Kyrgyzstan,
as well as a number of joint events in this sphere were successfully held. Most
importantly, all this meets the interests and aspirations of our people, makes
a significant contribution to ensuring peace, stability and security in the
Central Asian region”.

The average speed of the convoy was about 50-60 km /h. The time of
passage of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border "Dustlik" took about 1.5 hours

Vice Minister for foreign trade
Sahib Saifnazarov, as well as representatives of the Uzbek Agency for
automobile and river transport (USART) in the course of a briefing shared
information about the preparations for sending the first convoys with export
cargo along the new transport corridor
"Tashkent–Andijan–Osh–Irkeshtam–Kashgar".

The new Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan –
China road corridor was initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his
state visit to the People's Republic of China in May 2017, during which an
intergovernmental Agreement on international road transport between the two
states was signed.

As part of the implementation of
this Agreement, a pilot rally on the Tashkent - Andijan - Osh - Irkeshtam -
Kashgar route with the participation of vehicles of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and
China was organized from October 30 to November 3, 2017. A 920 kilometre
distance was completed in 31 hours, of which 16 hours were in motion.

The average speed of the convoy was
about 50-60 km /h. The time of passage of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border
"Dustlik" took about 1.5 hours, the Kyrgyz-Chinese border
"Irkeshtam" about 2 hours.

At the International Film Festival,
which will be held at the Palais des Festivals et de Congresses on the famous
Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes, the pavilion of our country is created by
the Union of Youth of Uzbekistan, the Center for the Development of
Cinematography and the Council of Young Cinematographers.

The Center for the Development of Cinematography has concluded a
corresponding agreement with the Directorate of the Cannes Film Festival.

The annual film festival is considered one of the main cultural events
in the world of cinema. Last year, the list of participants in this event
included more than 12 thousand people from 118 countries, which indicates the
growing prestige of the festival.

Representatives of the pavilion will present guests with information
about films and cinema in Uzbekistan. Also in the pavilion there will be a
presentation of the PROlogue project, which starting from this year received
the status of an international film festival, to be held in October 2018 in
Tashkent.

The event is a practical embodiment of the support provided by our state
for youth initiatives.